Rotating Loosening Mechanism of a Nut Connecting a Rotary Disk Under Rotating-Bending Force

Abstract

Structures composed of a rotary disk and a shaft, which are fastened with bolts and nuts having tapered bearing surfaces, are loaded with a rotating-bending force. Upon investigation, two rotating mechanisms of the nut were derived. In one mechanism a high-pressure contact area is formed at the nearest loading point on threads and bearing surfaces. This leads to a difference in the curvature radii between the bearing surface of the disk and that of the nut. During the revolution of the disk, two friction torques occur in opposite directions on the bearing surface and the threads, respectively. The relative rotating direction of the nut is dominated by the greater torque. The other mechanism is due to the eccentricities caused by dimensional errors of the bolt, nut, and disk. By combining the two mechanisms, the rotations of the nuts either cause a loosening or tightening after many revolutions of the disk.